Man accused of murders, bombings was fuelled by feud with ex-wife, court told

A court has heard a Sydney man accused of a string of murders and court bombings in the 1980s was motivated by a feud with his ex-wife.

Key points:

Leonard John Warwick's lawyer tried to have the Crown's opening address suppressed

He said the trial would deal with "some of the most horrific events of violence this country has ever known"

Mr Warwick is accused of murdering four people and bombing several buildings in the 80s

Leonard John Warwick is facing a judge-only trial for dozens of offences that include four murders, an attempted murder and maliciously blowing up a court and other buildings between 1980 and 1985.

Wearing a suit jacket on the first day of his trial, the 71-year-old sat quietly in the dock as the court heard his application to have the Crown's opening address suppressed.

He is accused of seven incidents that include the shooting murders of his wife's brother and of Justice David Opas outside his Woollahra home.

Mr Warwick is also accused of setting off a bomb that killed Pearl Watson — the wife of Justice Ray Watson at his home — and a bomb that killed Jehovah's Witness Minister Graham Wykes and injured several people in a church.

He pleaded not guilty to all 24 indictments.

In his opening address the prosecutor Ken McKay said all seven of the events that Mr Warwick is on trial for can be connected to a dispute with his ex-wife.

The prosecutor said "each event was pre-planned and intentional" and that Mr Warwick committed actors of "extreme violence".

Battle to have address suppressed

Mr Warwick's lawyer Alan Connolly argued that the trial will deal with "some of the most horrific events of violence this country has ever known" and that there are "safety concerns" for Mr Warwick in jail and also for his family.

But representing the ABC and other media outlets barrister Dauid Sibtain argued for the Crown opening address to be made public in the interests of open justice.

"There is no material to distinguish this case from any other criminal proceeding," Mr Sibtain said.